KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has announced plans to build “stronger” sea walls to protect the country’s coastal areas against flooding caused by the high tide phenomenon.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the ministry is looking to apply for a RM416 million allocation from the government to build embankments strong enough to withstand the strong tides.

“Accompanied by strong winds and heavy rains, water from the sea have broken through our existing embankments and flooded residential areas and farmlands,” he told reporters outside the Parliament lobby.
Wan Junaidi said he has instructed the Department of Irrigation and Drainage to look into the weaknesses of the sandbag seawalls installed, as well as to provide plans for more reliable alternatives.

“For the short term, we have RM3 million to spend on this new endeavour but for the long term, the total cost for this project is estimated to reach RM416 million.

“We are asking the government to give us this allocation and we hope to see it included it in next year’s Budget,” he said, adding that the situation at several spots along the costal area was critical.

In Sabak Bernam, the active evacuation centres are the Dewan Sungai Air Tawar, and Dewan Parit Baru, Dewan Seri Sekinchan. The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department said no casualties were reported so far.

Earlier this, the river bund at Sungai Keramat in Kampung Sri Keramat, Batu 5 broke due to the high tide.

Selangor state disaster management coordinator (for Sementa) Mohd Azmi Mat Sangir said the high tide began at 3am and the five-metre bund later broke. The water level reached a height of 5.7 metres today.

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